Glaucoma

Who is at risk?

Glaucoma can occur in people of all ages from birth to very advanced years. It is more common in adults than children. Glaucoma most frequently occurs in people for no apparent reason. Certain groups of people, however, are known to be at a somewhat higher risk of developing glaucoma than others. These are people who have a family history of glaucoma, people who are nearsighted or diabetic, people suffering from other diseases of the eye and those who smoke.

Factors which have not been found to affect the development of glaucoma include: coffee, alcohol and fluid restriction diets. Patients with glaucoma may use other medications, even those with glaucoma warnings (i.e., antihistamines, cold remedies, etc.) as long as they inform their doctors. Steroids, however, should not be used unless the prescribing doctor is specifically aware of the glaucoma.